What is EDC/HRE ?

What is the aim of Education for democratic citizenship and human rights
(EDC/HRE)?

Education for democratic citizenship and human rights aims to give people the
knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes that will help them to play an
effective role in their community - be it on the local, national or
international level. It shows people how to become informed about their rights,
responsibilities and duties and it helps them to realise that they can have
influence and make a difference.

What is EDC/HRE?

Education for Democratic Citizenship and Human Rights doesn't just happen in
schools during citizenship lessons: it covers all forms of education, from
children up to young adults at college and university, and through into adult
education, vocational training and the workplace. You can find EDC/HRE through
the work of campaigning groups and on Internet pages aimed at children. It is
not just about learning to vote. It is about learning to sort out problems in
the family without recourse to violence. It is about learning to resolve
playground disputes in a fair and sensible way. It is about neighbours joining
together to keep their environment clean and safe.

Why do we need EDC/HRE?

Democratic citizenship is a skill, and skills need to be learned. Many
schools taught the basic government structures in the past: not so many taught
their pupils how they could have a voice in the society in which they lived, and
why it was important. Democracy comes from the Greek meaning "of the people".
Yet studies show that most people throughout Europe are becoming disenfranchised
from their political systems. They do not trust politicians, they are confused
about political institutions and they are skeptical about the value of voting.

How does it help young people?

Children and young people may not be old enough to vote in elections or sit
on juries, but they have rights and duties and they are entitled to have a say.
EDC/HRE teaches them the skills they need for school and family life, whilst
giving them knowledge for the future.

What about adults?

Many adults have lost interest in what they see as "politics". They are
jaundiced by political parties and feel their political representatives are cut
off from them and their way of feeling. Yet many people are very interested in
the world around them - campaigning for local hospitals, for the environment or
against animal cruelty for example. EDC/HRE can help these people to see how
they can gain influence in society.

There are other obstacles to people being able to express themselves. Some
women do not have the chance to vote or get involved in society because they
come from a background where men dominate. Disabled people and older people may
be impeded because it is harder to get their voices heard. EDC/HRE works, both
to give them confidence and to open the eyes and ears of the rest of society.

Why is the Council of Europe involved?

The Council of Europe is the oldest and biggest European organisation. With
47 member states, it covers almost the whole of geographical Europe and touches
the lives of over 800m people living there. The Council is the watchdog for
human rights for Europe's citizens, and a guardian of democracy and the rule of
law: the best structure to oversee EDC/HRE in Europe.

Some thoughts on Democracy, Human Rights and Education

"If liberty and equality, as is thought by some are chiefly to be found in
democracy, they will be best attained when all persons alike share in the
government to the utmost." Aristotle (384 BC - 322 BC)

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the
world." Nelson Mandela

"You have to be the change you want to see in the world". "To safeguard
democracy the people must have a keen sense of independence, self-respect, and
their oneness." "The spirit of democracy cannot be imposed from without. It has
to come from within. In true democracy every man and woman is taught to think
for himself or herself". Mahatma Gandhi

"Voting is one of the few things where boycotting in protest clearly makes
the problem worse rather than better." Jane Auer, American Author

"The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but
because of those who look on and do nothing." Albert Einstein

"Responsibility does not only lie with the leaders of our countries or
with those who have been appointed or elected to do a particular job. It lies
with each of us individually. Peace, for example, starts within each one of us.
When we have inner peace, we can be at peace with those around us." The
Dalai Lama

Aspects of citizenship

Democratic citizenship is not limited to the citizen’s legal status and to
the voting right this status implies. It includes all aspects of life in a
democratic society. Democratic citizenship is therefore related to a vast range
of topics such as sustainable development, participation of people with
disabilities in society, gender mainstreaming, prevention of terrorism and many
other areas.